It’s been 45 years since the assassination of the civil rights leader who dreamed of a day when people would be judged by their character, not their color.

On the day that commemorates Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, America’s first black president will be sworn into office to begin serving his second term, something that some may not have dreamed would be possible when King was still alive.

King fought for equality and his work helped to bring about the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to address discrimination in the workplace.

The Gazette asked three up and coming black professionals how they chose their careers and what they think about race relations in today’s society as the nation reflects on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Synthia Kearney

Gastonia Fire Battalion Chief Synthia Kearney moved from a captain to a battalion chief in July. She started her firefighting career in Gastonia.

Kearney, 51, was born in Chicago but moved to Winston-Salem in 1972. She’s lived in Gastonia for 6½ years, but has been with the Gastonia Fire Department for 16½ years. She has two daughters — Lauren, 22, and Brooke, 19.

Why did you choose to become a firefighter?

“When I was a teenager, I loved the show ‘Emergency!’ with Randolph Mantooth, and it was about firefighters and paramedics. I loved that show and decided I wanted to be a firefighter.”

Kearney worked as a Secret Service agent for four years, and then spent 5½ years at the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. She quit a few months after her first daughter was born and stayed home three years to raise her girls.

“When I had to go back to work I decided to do what I had wanted to do and become a firefighter. I was a little older. I was 35 at the time. It was a fulfillment of a lifelong dream.”

Were you given any advice that helped you succeed? What advice would you give others?

“My parents always told me ‘First of all, always do your best. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing. Do your best not because someone’s watching you, but do your best because it’s the right thing to do.’

“They taught me to rely on the Lord. And you can’t change anybody but yourself. When difficulty occurs, look at what you can do to make change. The only person’s behavior you can change is your own.

“That would be the advice I would give someone else: Work hard. Do your best….It’s on you to do what’s right. Your behavior is the behavior that you have the complete control over.”

Page 2 of 5 - Do you think of yourself as a black professional or simply a professional who happens to be black?

“Sort of both. I’m a professional who happens to be black. That is true and how I want to carry on. However, I am a black professional and I understand the importance of having black professionals visible so kids that don’t know about opportunities see that someone who looks like you can achieve this…. I think it is important to have role models. Sometimes it’s the only time that people see, ‘Wow, somebody like me can do this.’”

Is race still an issue in today's society?

“I think it is. I think that it has changed. Blatant racism has certainly lowered. I think this country has come a long way in dealing with race. The trap becomes that we think that there are no more racial problems and that is not exactly true.”

“It is a process. And those things will get better as long as we realize the battle is not over.”

Has having a black president changed the way people think about race?

I think having a black president has certainly brought the positive and the negative out into the open. I think it’s brought more of a discussion out about race. To that, I think that’s a good thing. For us to continue making our strides in coming to racial equality, we have to keep the conversation going. The fact that people are aware that this is the first black president keeps those issues out there so we have to deal with them in constructive ways.”

Is there any accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I am proud of what I’ve accomplished at work but I’m most proud of what I’ve accomplished as a mother. They (my daughters) are growing up into nice young ladies and stepping up into the world. I think being a mother would be what I’m most proud of.”

Anthony Gallant

State Farm Insurance Agent Anthony Gallant grew up in Georgetown, S.C., and now lives in Belmont with his wife Rosa and 16-year-old daughter Kelsey, who attends the N.C. School of Science and Math. He’s been in the insurance industry as an agent for five years. His office is about to move to a new location across the street from Chantilly's and The Ole Carolina BBQ March 1.

What brought you to Gaston County?

“This is actually my second go around in Gaston County. Prior to becoming a State Farm business owner, I worked with Hanes as a customer service manager at the Kings Mountain distribution center from 1996 to 2003. We moved with Hanes to Winston-Salem in 2002. State Farm offered me the opportunity to own my own business, which has always been a lifetime dream of mine, so I switched careers in 2008 to become a State Farm agent. After seven months of intense training and evaluation, I completed the training and was selected to take over the Gastonia vacancy in 2009. I could not be happier.”

Page 3 of 5 - Who did you view as a mentor growing up and how did he or she help you?

“My mother, no question about it. My mom and dad were divorced by the time I was 6-years-old. My mom was left with raising five kids by herself. She worked two and sometimes three jobs to make ends meet. I remember her staying up after working two jobs to check over our term papers and review our homework. She is an amazing lady. Her determination and courage hangs like a halo over me when I go through challenging times. Because when I think of the sacrifices she made to help me achieve my dreams and goals, no struggle I face is too great for me to overcome.”

Do you think of yourself as a black professional or simply a professional who happens to be black?

“When I look at my policyholders from a demographic standpoint, it is about 40 percent black, 44 percent white, and 16 percent Hispanic. So I think my policyholders see me as a professional who happens to be black, and I think of myself in the same way.”

Is race still an issue in today's society?

“Unfortunately, I think race will always be an issue in society. Even if we were all the same race, it would still be some dividing factor within the race. But the good news is that I think everyone is more respectful and tolerant of each other, which is great progress. Look at my policyholders demographics. I would like to think they are coming to me because of my service and professionalism, not because of my race.”

Has having a black president changed the way people think about race?

I think having a black president shows we are more accepting and open to having who we feel is the right person in the job regardless of race. This country has gone through a once in a generation economic crisis for many of us. Like most small business owners, I just want to see this economy turn around, and we all have the opportunity to grow and expand our businesses. There is no question that our country’s demographics is rapidly changing and with these changes I pray competency, not race, plays a bigger factor in who we choose as our leaders in the future.

When do you think your parents were most proud of you?

I think my mom was so proud to see how much I enjoy being a father and a husband. My daughter Kelsey is the apple of my eyes and my mother just adores her. I think seeing how we interact together really lifts her heart given the fact she carried the water bucket by herself when I was growing up.

Kelvin J. Atkinson

Page 4 of 5 - Kelvin J. Atkinson has been practicing law since 2003. He came to Gaston County after graduating from law school at N.C. Central University School of Law. He took the job as assistant district attorney after then-District Attorney Michael Lands offered him the job in February 2004. He was co-counsel in Keith Hall’s capital murder case in 2006 involving the four people killed in the Paradise Point neighborhood near Belmont. Atkinson recently started his own practice, the Law Offices of Kelvin J. Atkinson in Gastonia.

Why did you choose to practice law?

“Like most lawyers, I used to talk a lot when I was young, and everyone would tell me ‘You should be a lawyer when you grow up.’ There was a show on back in the late 80s called ‘L.A. Law,’ which starred a young black actor named Blair Underwood. I used to watch this show and after prompting by friends and family and seeing a black man playing this role, I knew that I was going to be an attorney. As I grew and began reading the history and the struggles that Thurgood Marshall endured while fighting for equality….I also have two older cousins that are attorneys in Washington, D.C., and New York, and they have helped me stay focused along the path.”

Do you think of yourself as a black professional or simply a professional who happens to be black?

“I consider myself a black professional. Growing up I always knew I was black and thought of myself as a black person. At a young age I encountered racism when a store owner outside of Fayetteville would not allow me to use the restroom because of the color of my skin. I asked my dad ‘What did the man mean by not allowing coloreds to use his bathroom?’ and he told me, ‘Do not worry about it, and let’s go.’

“As I grew and remembered the incident, I began to understand the history of where our country had been and where it needed to go. That memory is etched in to my brain and I can remember it pretty vividly as it has faded from my dad’s.

“So I have always been cognizant of my race and how impactful one incident or person can be to someone’s life. My parents went to college at N.C. A&T University during the 1960s. They were there during the famous sit-ins at the Woolworths lunch counter. I have been told the stories of my father’s college friend that was killed in the riots in Greensboro and have been to the International Civil Rights Museum, which is the site of the old Woolworths.

“All of these events have affected what I perceive as my role as a black professional in society. I have embraced being a black professional because that is who I am and I want young blacks to see me as that so they can understand that anything is achievable if you put your mind to it and stay focused.”

Page 5 of 5 - Has having a black president changed the way people think about race?

“I believe having a black man elected president of the U.S. has been a positive move for race relations. It has demonstrated that a majority of Americans are at the point where they can accept a person of color being the leader of their country and representative to the world and that is huge step in the right direction considering the history of civil rights and persecution that existed in this country. I was at President Obama’s first inauguration in 2009 and the energy and excitement from all the people there was amazing. It was an experience that I would not trade for anything.

“I am sure that if Dr. King could have been alive to see one of his dreams realized it would have brought him to tears. After he [Obama] won the election in 2008, I called my parents and they were in tears. They did not think that after growing up in rural North Carolina — Pitt County for my dad and Warren County for my mom — that they would ever see the day that a black man would be elected president.

“So to see the country come this far in their lifetimes considering what they have seen and been through over the years, speaks volumes for Dr. King’s goals and the role he played in trying to change a society to be tolerant and accepting of everyone regardless of race.

“To this day I get chills every time I hear Dr. King’s speech in Washington, D.C., and hear him say those immortal words “Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last.”

You can reach reporter Amanda Memrick at 704-869-1839 or follow @AmandaMemrick on Twitter.